I just learned that famed surfer Andy Irons died of Dengue Fever this morning in a hotel room in Dallas, Texas on his way back from Puerto Rico. He was 32. As someone who has had several close calls and by all accounts should be dead already (read my behind the scenes article “In God’s Hands”) I can only say it is a shock. My condolences to his family and friends. It is a great loss to the surfing community and to all of us.
Sitting on my desk right now are prints of the above image of Andy in a rare shorebreak barrel in Waimea Bay during the Eddie Aikau. Andy saw this image when it was sent to him via my good friend Brian Bielmann, who was a close friend. He asked that I make a print of the image for him and I was waiting to hear back from Andy on which address to mail the prints to. They will still go out to his family but this is a reminder that the end can come at any time. May you rest in peace Andy. I am sorry I wasn’t able to give these prints to you. My prayers go out to his family.
For more information on this tragic news I will direct everyone to TransWorld Surf Magazine’s website.
